Thursday, November 4, 2010

Tamron AF 18-270 Zoom Lens GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Tamron.

As many of you know, I love taking photos. I love looking at photos. And I love learning how to improve my photos. I'm not a professional and my photography is an evolving process, as I understand more about my camera and how we can work together as a team. So when Tamron contacted me about reviewing their 15X Optical Zoom lens, I won't lie, I was super duper excited and said, uh YES!In my FAQ's section you'll find detailed info about what camera I use (Canon Rebel XS) and my various lenses. I've typically stuck with the kit lenses (18-55mm lens, or the 75-300 telephoto lens). I dabble with my 50 mm prime lens from time to time as well. But because the range of shots I take is so varied...from a close-up on my sewing machine, to a long shot across the park....I'm constantly switching lenses back and forth to capture the best shot I can.Well, I don't have to do that anymore!This new Tamron 15x zoom lens is like BOTH of my lenses in one. It ranges from 18-270mm!No more quickly swapping back and forth. No more debating over which lens to take with me as we walk around Venice. I can have it all! Seriously, life just got really cool. Okay, it was cool before, but now it's super streamlined and even easier. It's sweet like cookies and honey.For this review of the Tamron AF 18-270mm lens:* I've experimented with the lens, taking photos in different settings.* I've read online reviews to see what other photographers think of it.* I've gathered 2nd opinions from my photographer friends, who also tried out my camera and lens.And we've all concluded that....It's GREAT!

So let me give you info on the lens, my Pros and Cons, and a brief slideshow (cause that's what you really care about, right? The photos!)

It retails for $629It's designed for Canon or Nikon Di II DSLR camerasAnd today we're giving one away to one of you!

THE PROS:* 15X Zoom Lens (18-270mm) and versatilityAs I mentioned above, the thing I love most about this lens is the versatility. It replaces the need for me have multiple zoom lenses. Some photographers shoot mostly portrait stuff and so they stick with a 50mm prime lens a lot of the time. My photo needs have a very wide range. I'm often shooting close-ups of fabric for tutorials. But when I'm out with my kids I prefer a long lens so I can capture the natural moment; to get those candid shots (I enjoy playing paparazzi to my own family). So, with this lens, I can truly put away my other two lenses. I hate to go on and on about the point. But when we're on vacation, it's so hard to decide which lens I'll take out for the day (since I'm not going to lug two kids, 2 bags, AND multiple lenses around). So now I can have it all! The zoom range of this lens is amazing! Can I say it's changed my photo life? Probably dramatic but seriously, I love it.

* The VC (Vibrator Compensation)Okay, this is cool too.So, though I've enjoyed my Canon 75-300 telephoto lens, when I'm zoomed-in all the way there's much more room for camera shake. It's hard to hold your body totally steady, while zeroed in on a moving child that's 30 feet away....which means it's more difficult to keep your focus sharp. But the Vibrator Compensation on this lens is meant to compensate for that! It helps minimize your own body shake to give you crisper photos. When you hold the shutter button down, the camera focuses and then it sort of locks in place for a moment, keeping your picture focused. It's really cool. And now that I've been using this lens, it feels weird to go back to my other lenses, which don't offer this feature.

Would you like to the lens in action?Excellent!

Most of my long lens photography is to shoot pictures of my kids in-action. So we did just that. The UPS man dropped the lens off at my doorstep, I opened it up, and we went outside to jump on the trampoline.

To really give an honest review here I'd like to NOTE: these photos are straight from the lens. No editing or touch-ups have been done. These were taken at dusk around 6pm, in lower light, with the AUTO Focus:Of course a bit of brightening and other minor touches would improve the photos but you can see how crisp and beautiful they are, even though the kids are moving and I'm sitting 20 feet away.This will show you the range of the lens....I'm zoomed out as far as possible. I can focus on things in the distance,But I can also focus on my own hand! I could never do that with my Canon 75-300.And if I zoom in all the way from where I'm sitting, you get this. A nice wedgie.

More action shots and static hair:

Notice that the camera focused on the kids, even though they're behind the trampoline net. You can see small grid marks on their bodies and faces.The next morning we took photos indoors.Shown straight from the lens, no editing:Touched-up slightly to increase the black levels and brighten the shadows:and here's a photo comparison; Before and After slight editing.

Straight from the lens:

AFTER touch-ups (simply done in iPhoto with the "auto enhance" button. I don't have any fancy software; I do all my editing in iPhoto):And finally Lucy picked up my old 18-55mm lens, looked closer at my camera and asked "How did your lens grow?" Observant girl (and no, my kids don't normally handle my lenses but I wanted to show her the difference in the two).If you've never used Tamronbefore, they're a brand of lenses that fit on any Canon or Nikon camera for about 1/2 the cost of your brand-name lens but with the same quality. If you're looking for an amazing zoom AND standard lens combined, this is it!

As with any review, however, I would like to mention a few CONS (when it comes to Zoom lenses):* Prime vs. Zoom lensI often complain that my photos are not as sharp as I would ultimately like them to be. It seems that no matter how exact I am with my focus, they don't give me the really defined sharpness I see in professional photos. Now, this is not a complaint against the Tamron lens but just zoom lenses in general.

Prime lenses are fixed at a specific focal length. You can not zoom in or out. Instead, you move your own body to adjust the distance between you and your subject. Prime lenses are typically known to focus a bit sharper on their images, when compared to zoom lenses. Now zoom lenses are still amazing (I mean, duh, I'm in love with my new Tamron) but I don't think it will be as sharp as a prime lens is. And that's totally fine. It's still beautifully sharp (as the previous photos have shown) and I love the versatility more than anything.

* Lens CreepThis also isn't a complaint against Tamron but just something to be aware of with larger zoom lenses. Since this lens offers more range, it's heavier than my other lenses. But it's not too heavy. It's easily manageable and I hardly notice the increased weight now. However, it has tendency to "creep" down (or zoom in) when I'm shooting photos from straight above, such as close-up shots of my projects. I simply adjust for this by holding the camera tighter, so it's not a big deal. And when I'm not shooting, there's a lock on the lens to hold it in place. Again, nothing big just something to mention because it surprised me at first.And with all that being said...

That's my review!I've been using the lens for 2 weeks now and as I've said, I love it. I recommend it!Here's a sampling of additional photos....(Note, these final photos have all been touched-up a bit in iPhoto)So, the big question left is....Would you like a Tamron AF 18-270mm Zoom lens too???Tamron has offered to give a lens to one of YOU!Here are the details....

Giveaway Rules:* Leave a comment, that's it!* Leave your EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment (this may be written out such as "dana at hotmail dot com" etc).* Only One entry per person.* If you forget something and need to leave a second comment, go back and DELETE your first comment.* Open to U.S. residents only.* Entrants must be 18 years of age or older* ONE winner will be picked via random.org and will the Tamron AF 18-270 F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens* Giveaway ends NOVEMBER 30th!

Official Rules HERE.Roundup of other Tamron Giveaways HERE.Tamron site HERE.

Oh my gosh, I love it! I actually had no idea that I could buy anything other than a Nikon lens to go with my camera, so I'm super excited just to know there are other options out there... and of course, I'd love to win!

Great giveaway! Thanks for the wonderful review, and I just loved looking at all of your great pictures. It really encourages me to become a better photographer to see them. You can do it, so can I!tina (at) squirrelacorns (dot) com

Wow...fantastic review and giveaway! I have wanted a lens that can zoom in and out as much as this for a long time. I have the one that came with my camera only right now. This would be a great addition to my camera and photography habit! I am called the paparazzi by my friends! Thanks for the chance to win one!

OOOooh my goodness. The range is incredible! I have a 50mm prime, but like you said - when it comes to playing family paparazzo, it doesn't cut it. Beyond that I have my kit lens, which recently bit the dust. So.... I soooooo would love this lens

Wow!!!This is going to sound extremely cheesy but this almost has me in tears. My husband and I have been saving up for 2 years to buy a new digital SLR from birthday and Christmas checks. After this Christmas we should finally be able to afford that camera we've always dreamed of. To win this lens would just be... well, it would make me speechless.Thank you Tamron for the opportunity and to Dana for the constant photo inspiration!zabecc (at) hotmail (dot) com

Wow! This lens takes awesome photos! And you've inspired me to do more especially now I know that you can do so much with iPhoto! :) I would love to get this lens for my husband. We have a Nikon D90 and he has really gotten into photography this year. He (and I) would be thrilled to have this lens! you can contact me at melissa @ melissamcallister dot com. Also to see my husband's photos go to www.howcanyouliveinthenortheast.com

I am so excited about this giveaway. My husband bought me a Canon when I had my second child b/c I wanted a better camera for those kodak moments and I absolutely love it. This would be a great additon to have. YEAH!!!!

I have been looking for a lens just like this (and to be honest, a review that gives the exact information I need to know, like this one!), but I live in Canada, so I'm not eligible to win...I'm going to cry!

Wow, this is an awesome giveaway. I would love one of these for pictures of my kids in their sports. Then you might be able to actually see them in the pictures, instead of tiny spots on the field. Your pictures are always beautiful Dana!

Oh my! I would love to win this! We just got the Nikon and I am so totally in love with it and think it deserves this wonderful lens! LOL! I too am an amateur but I love everything there is about photography! keeping my fingers crossed!

Are you freaking kidding me?! I would die for this lens. I just got a Canon Rebel T1i last year and I'm stlll working to improve my skills. I take a lot of photos like you—projects, kids, details, etc. And this lens would be SO amazing to have!christyhcook atgmaildotcom

Man, I would LOVE to win this! My husband has a lens that he is not at all happy with right now and I was toying with the idea of getting him a lens for Christmas. I just don't think I have the money for it! Crossing my fingers!

This would totally be a Merry Christmas to me! I'd love to win, I have some primes and I keep thinking I should get a versitile zoom, but never know which one exactly to buy. This looks like it would work perfect.

ack!! i'd love to win this. i've just started with photography in the past year and i'm taking a class in january. thank you for the chance to win. and thank you for your lovely tutorials all the time!tammiecbennett AT gmail DOT com

This is a fantastic giveaway!!!!! I have a Cannon as well and was thinking about getting a larger range lens. Thanks so much for this review, it is so hard to blindly go looking for lenses, it's nice to have a jumping off point!

What an amazing giveaway!! Your photos are stunning as always...please keep 'em coming! Thanks for sharing with us the different lens options available! (This giveaway is so incredible I'm exclamation point happy!!! :) )

I would DIE if I won this. Love taking pics of my kids (I use iPhoto too!!) :) Have you heard of Gimp? It's a free editing software just like Photoshop Elements (or so I've heard, don't have that either) and you can download it online. Just Google "Gimp." Picnik is also fun and free. Just in case you want other options :)

Wow! What a giveaway! I was drooling over your pictures and was so excited to learn that you'd be giving one away. This would be fantastic and would really help with my otherwise lacking photography skills! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (de5181 (at) aol.com)

I'm salivating! WIth little kids this would be great! My husband and I share a camera and he likes a macro lens for tight closeups of fishing flies, so I often find myself missing a moment during a lens change.This would be FABULOUS!!! (NO more cursing my husband!!!) lightseyjennifer@gmail.com

What an incredible giveaway! I was looking for a lens like this to take with me to Ethiopia (to pick up kiddos someday). If I win I can put that money toward adoption fees. My husband would say, "Pick Beth, Pick Beth!"

I would love this for my husband. He's a boring accountant by day but his creative side comes out through his photography hobby...and I think he deserves it because he's awesome!Staceyisaacandstacey at gmail dot com

Too, too bad I am not in the US - again... I would have loooved this as I too spend way too much time switching from one zoon to another or regretting I only took one along... maybe another time?

Anyway, Dana, I really, reaaly need to tell you every single one of these photos are breathtakingly amazing! (I know, breathtakingly probably doesn't exist.. but you can't blame a Frenchie for making up words, can you?) Have a sweet day!

oh my! What an AWESOME lens. I want, i covet, i NEED! I am currently only using a prime lens now which is driving me a little cuckoo because when the kids are far away...non-decent pics come my way! I would love to win this lens!